A Youth Friendly Services Clinic was launched in Bumbwisudi, Zanzibar on 15 February 2023, in the Mjini Magharibi Region of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania. The Youth Friendly Services clinic was refurbished under the Wezesha Wasichana Project, which is jointly implemented by UNFPA and UNICEF, and funded by the Government of Canada.
During the launch UNFPA handed over two mobile ultrasound machines to the Ministry of Health of Zanzibar, which will support outreach services for examinations of pregnant mothers to detect complications and support safe pregnancies.
"Many young people have been using contraceptive methods without following the advice of health experts, which causes them to suffer health consequences and think that these methods are not safe, but the problem is incorrect information,” said Mheshimiwa Nassor Mazrui, Minister for Health Zanzibar. “Of course, this Youth Friendly Services Centre Clinic will enable young people to receive timely information and professional services."
Youth Friendly Services Clinic launch attendees included Mheshimiwa Idris Kitwana Mustapha, Regional Commissioner, Urban West Region; Mheshimiwa Hamida Musa, District Commissioner, West A District; government officials, including officials from the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, and representatives from NGOs, civil society and from the media.
“Tanzania’s dynamic youth population is expanding. Youth need access to services and information to support them to make informed choices, including about their sexual and reproductive health,” said Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative, United Republic of Tanzania. “Youth Friendly Services support youth in healthy decision making, and to ensure rights and choices for all.”
He recognized the leadership of the Government of Zanzibar and their high-level commitment to support freedom of access to health information and services for young people.
Wezesha Wasichana is a five-year project, which aims to improve sexual and reproductive health, rights and well-being among vulnerable adolescent girls in all 22 districts in Mbeya and Songwe regions and Zanzibar; 2023 is the final year of the project. Under the Wezesha Wasichana project, UNFPA has worked with the Ministry of Health in the refurbishment of five Youth Friendly Services clinics; the last one is underway in Pemba. UNFPA has also supported capacity building of over 500 staff in sexual and reproductive health, and supported the development of guidelines, a training manual and data management.
The Ministry of Health will allocate staff for the Youth Friendly Services to manage the clinics, in order to provide young people with access to age-appropriate information and services.
The Youth Friendly Services Clinic in Bumbwisudi is one of ten clinics that have been recently supported by UNFPA in an effort to ensure that more young people have access to sexual and reproductive health services.
For further information, please contact:
Warren Bright, UNFPA Tanzania Communications Analyst, Mobile: +255 764 43 44 45, Email: bwarren@unfpa.org
